NSW dad charged over disabled daughter's death

A father in the NSW Hunter region has been accused of killing his severely disabled young daughter by striking her in the stomach.

David Leiper, 60, was arrested yesterday afternoon and charged with manslaughter over the death of nine-year-old Isabella Leiper.

Isabella was found in the family home in Clarence Town on the afternoon of July 17, 2011.

An inquest into her death at Newcastle Coroners Court last year heard the young girl, who suffered from cerebral palsy, died from a number of internal injuries that were the result of a blunt force to the stomach, such as a fist.

The court heard the injuries could not have been sustained if she had just fallen out of her bed or wheelchair.

Isabella was discovered by emergency services after her father called triple-0, claiming he had just found her dead in her bed.

The young victim was severely restricted in her movements, required 24-hour care and was entirely dependent on her family and a number of government services.

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The inquest into her death heard that many described her as a "delight" who was able to communicate through noises and facial expressions and "was loved by all who came into contact with her," the Newcastle Herald reported last year.
The inquest was suspended last April when the deputy coroner said there was enough evidence for prosecutors to consider charges against a "known person".

Local detectives arrested the father after an "exhaustive" inquiry, police said in a statement.

Mr Leiper was bailed under strict conditions to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on March 17.